Studying at the University of Verona
Here you can find information on the organisational aspects of the Programme, lecture timetables, learning activities and useful contact details for your time at the University, from enrolment to graduation.
Study Plan
Queste informazioni sono destinate esclusivamente agli studenti e alle studentesse già iscritti a questo corso. Se sei un nuovo studente interessato all'immatricolazione, trovi le informazioni sul percorso di studi alla pagina del corso:
Laurea magistrale interateneo in Scienze dello sport e della prestazione fisica - Immatricolazione dal 2025/2026.The Study Plan includes all modules, teaching and learning activities that each student will need to undertake during their time at the University.
Please select your Study Plan based on your enrollment year.
1° Year
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2° Year It will be activated in the A.Y. 2025/2026
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Legend | Type of training activity (TTA)
TAF (Type of Educational Activity) All courses and activities are classified into different types of educational activities, indicated by a letter.
Biomechanics of human locomotion (2024/2025)
Teaching code
4S010974
Teacher
Coordinator
Credits
6
Language
Italian
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
M-EDF/01 - PHYSICAL TRAINING SCIENCES AND METHODOLOGY
Period
1° semestre LM68 Verona dal Sep 30, 2024 al Jan 17, 2025.
Location
VERONA
Courses Single
Authorized with reserve
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide cultural and operational tools for the biomechanical analysis of human of human locomotion. In particular, the mechanical and energetic determinants of "cyclic" sports such as walking, running, cycling, swimming and cross-country skiing will be analyzed. Part of the program will be carried out in the form of numerical exercises (data analysis) to enable the students to verify, from a practical point of view, the theoretical knowledge acquired and to familiarize themselves with the main biomechanical means of calculation.
Prerequisites and basic notions
Basic knowledge of physics and biomechanics. i) mechanics of rigid bodies: statics, kinematics and dynamics (linear and angular); ii) mechanics of deformable bodies (muscle and tendon); iii) basic principles of fluid statics and fluid dynamics. This basic knowledge is provided in the Biomechanics course of the Bachelor's Degree (please see the program of that course for more details).
Program
Basis of biomechanics. Basic principles of linear and angular kinematics and dynamics. Forward and inverse dynamics. Propulsive and resistive forces. The body center of mass. How to calculate mechanical work in human locomotion: single mass model, Segmental energy calculations, joint power method.
Energy cost and efficiency. Energy expenditure and energy cost. Internal and external work. Positive and negative work. Muscle efficiency, transmission efficiency and locomotion efficiency.
Walking and running. Step/stride phases, duty factor, ground reaction forces. Internal and external mechanical work. Positive work, negative work and apparent (locomotion) efficiency. Biomechanics of running on gradients and with applied loads. The transition between walking and running. The Froude number. Running in unsteady conditions: sprints and shuttles. Passive locomotory tools.
Cycling. Aerodynamic and rolling resistance. Normal and effective force applied to the pedals. The "man-bicycle" arrangement. The HPV (human-powered vehicles
Cross-country skiing and ice skating. Resistant forces and propulsive forces.
Swimming. The mechanical determinants of energy cost in aquatic locomotion. The static and dynamic position of the body in water. The hydrodynamic resistance (active and passive drag). The energy cascade: propelling and Froude efficiency. Fin swimming.
Bibliography
Didactic methods
The course includes: i) 5 CFU (30 hours) of theoretical lessons on the topics indicated in the program and ii) 1 CFU (15 hours) of numerical exercises (data analysis) aimed to enable the students to verify, from a practical point of view, the theoretical notions and to familiarize themselves with the main biomechanical means of calculation.
Learning assessment procedures
Written test (lasting an hour and a half) followed by an oral interview (in the week following the written test). The written test consists of 10 questions (max 3 points each); 5/10 are open questions (on the topics covered in the course) and 5/10 are problems that require a numerical calculation (application of the formulas covered in the course).
Evaluation criteria
The score for each question (0-3 points) is assigned based on the completeness of the answer and the level of depth / understanding of the topic.
Criteria for the composition of the final grade
The oral interview is mandatory for those who have a mark in the written test between 18 and 27; if the written grade is > 28/30, the oral exam is not necessary. The teacher is, however, available to organize an oral interview for anyone who wants to improve their written grade.
Exam language
Italiano
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